Slower pace for change in Scotland

The arts sector outcry at forthcoming changes to Creative Scotland’s flexible funding programmes (AP254) has prompted “adjustments” to the proposals. Apologising for having “inadvertently caused anxiety amongst a number of arts organisations regarding their future”, Creative Scotland will be slowing down the pace of change and giving the 49 Flexibly Funded Organisations (FXOs) affected a further six months of secure funding from its grant in aid budget before they must start to rely on Lottery funding – now October 2013. Applications for future Lottery funding from these organisations will be accepted as soon as they are ready, potentially as early as October 2012, to “ensure that organisations can plan with confidence and offer reassurance to their staff and boards”. Creative Scotland’s core objectives have also been revised, to permit investment in artists and creative practitioners. This change will be included in a revised version of its Corporate Plan, together with details of how it will work with the sector in the future. A statement by Chief Executive Andrew Dixon said: “We want to move on from the recent debate and work with the sector to tell the stories of success and potential for the arts and artists in Scotland. This and the hard evidence from our research and sector reviews will help the case for arts and culture in the next spending review.”